There are two basic methods of scoring in golf. The first and most common is keeping a running total throughout an 18-hole round and counting all the strokes. This is called stroke play and is also known as medal play. Golfers can also compete using match play. In this way of scoring, a golfer gets a point for winning a particular hole against his competitor. Winning the first hole would make Golfer A plus-1 in a match. If golfer B wins hole No. 2, the match would be even. Score is kept in this manner until one golfer is far enough ahead that the other golfer would not be able to catch up.
Stroke play
In a stroke play match, score is kept cumulatively. This is the most popular way to keep score. A golfer writes her score and her playing partner's score for each hole on a scorecard. As the holes go by, each golfer should know how many strokes she has taken to that point in the round. The scorekeeper--one of four players in the group--also keeps score and announces how the golfers did after nine holes and at the conclusion of the round. If you believe the scorekeeper has made a mistake, explain to him where you believe the mistake was made and go over each shot you took on a particular hole. Make your case but realize it is her job to make a final determination.
Match play
In match play, each hole counts as one point. If golfer A shoots a 5 on the first hole and golfer B records an 8, golfer A is plus 1. If golfer B gets a 3 on the second hole and golfer A gets a 4, the match is now even. It does not matter that golfer A had a bigger advantage in his winning hole than golfer B. The winner of the match is determined as soon as one golfer is ahead by more holes that remain. If golfer is 3 strokes ahead going into the 15th hole and he wins that hole, he is now 4 holes ahead with just three holes to play. He has won the match because golfer B would still be 1 point behind even if he won the three remaining holes. If golfers are even after 18 holes, they continue to play until one golfer beats the other on an extra hole.
Best ball play
Some golf tournaments involve best ball play. Golfers in groups of four play as a team. Each golfer hits a drive on the first hole. Everybody in the group picks up their shot and moves it to wear the best shot in the group has landed. Everybody hits their second shot from there. The same procedure takes place on all ensuing shots until the golfers reach the green. The lowest score recorded on that hole gets written onto the scorecard. The rest of the round is played the same way and then the "teams" compare their scores at the end of the match. The team with the lowest score wins.
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer who has been covering sports for 28 years. He is the author of "The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" (Triumph Books, Chicago) and two other books on the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
